Comments on: A Little Help from My Friends

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Kelli,
living far away and in a country so different from yours, I find you, as many have said, truly inspiring. I discovered your blog through your craftiness too, but was after struck by your human side. From my daily blog reading dose, yours is the last one I read (always), as a way of saving the best for last…
My love too you from overseas,
sara

By: Larissa Stretton

Larissa Stretton — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:18:08 +0000

Kelli,

How lucky R is to have such a wonderful mentor in America. I’m glad she is getting one of the best examples of Americans in you. You are fantastic and I must admit, I’m a little bit envious of you having such an interesting opportunity….although you seem to have many and I am grateful that you share them with all of us. Being there for someone is truly a gift–to them and to you.
Larissa

By: Duda

Duda — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:22:15 +0000

These pictures speak volumes… I can relate to being the foreigner.

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:39:01 +0000

Kelli, your craftiness, your kindness, your willingness to give and share is inspiring.

By: Eren

Eren — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:19:24 +0000

Wow, what an amazing gift…for each of you. Because you know…that’s how it works. You think you are giving something and end up getting. What a wonderful thing.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:06:58 +0000

More power to you, and to your young friend! I had the privilege of working in the home of an Iranian family (as a nurse) for over ten years, and it enriched my life immeasureably! It is awe-inspiring to see the edges of a culture that dates back to the dawn of history and before. It also serves to help me appreciate my own privileges and the ease with which doors have opened for me in life, in contrast to the hurdles many immigrants have had to overcome.

There are large Iranian communities in California, and there is a smaller but active one here in the Seattle area…perhaps there is one in Phoenix as well?

By: SunnyInspiration

SunnyInspiration — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:54:13 +0000

Well written.Beautiful. I’m sure she and her family are benefitting greatly from your generosity. And, I see the education is mutual here. So awesome.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:08:09 +0000

Kelli, I’m glad to see I’m not the first/only to remark on your remarkableness. I’m glad you found each other as you will both be better people for it.

By: grace

grace — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:02:39 +0000

That is so cool. This made me think of my favorite teaching someone English story.

By: beki

beki — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:17:51 +0000

Kelli, you are an amazing woman

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:27:27 +0000

It is so cool you are doing this! Please keep us updated. Have you read “Lipstick Jihad?” It’s a great book about an Iranian woman who grew up in American and is torn between her two cultures.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:23:05 +0000

Kelli,
Your new friend has the best MENTOR EVER!
She is lucky to have such a WONDERFUL PERSON in her life!

By: Zarah

Zarah — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:56:50 +0000

That’s really awesome – I had a similar experience as you when I studied abroad in Spain. Even in college I craved some empathy and help from someone local to help me through. It’s great that you are able to be that person for R.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:53:10 +0000

That is fantastic.

I’m in a simular situation. My next door neighbors are hispanic. The mom and dad have little interest in learning English,but the mom has picked up some. They have 4 children, older boy and girl and 2 younger. The older children are now totally fluent in Enlgish and translate for the mom.

I speak enough spanish to communicate a little. Gloria and I talk when we meet up both filling in the gaps as we can. Somehow, between my poor spanish and little English we manage to get our points across. lol.

I took her some Thai peppers from my garden this summer for her family. Later when I’d asked her how they were, so said they were good, but she didn’t handle hot peppers well on her stomach. Her husband on the other hand had no problems with them. I’m not sure what country they were from, I really should ask, but I know it’s not Mexico as she mentioned that the people from Mexico handled hot peppers better than she could. lol.

I’m blessed with good neighbors here.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:07:48 +0000

You inspire me everyday to be a better human being. Thank you!